The 52 year old revealed his desire for the club to emulate the achievements of Leicester and Burnley, this season’s promoted sides, by performing to high standards on and off the pitch.

Addressing the room, he said: “We will only get promoted together. To achieve that you have to be unselfish. You have to come to work with a smile on your face and the determination to help the person next to you. If we don’t have that togetherness, we don’t go forward.

“I’ll lead the team day in, day out for as long as I’m in post, but you have to deliver as well as I do. I’ll back you all up. Whether you’re a player or staff member, I’ll be there to support you. All I ask is you support each other.

“Football doesn’t owe Nottingham Forest anything. We have to work for everything on a daily basis if we are to be successful.”

Pearce concluded the meeting with a private discussion with the first team before the players departed for their summer break.